17 Excellent British Period Dramas You Can Binge Right Now
By Lacy Baugher
Joanna Vanderham as Denise. (Photo: Courtesy of (C) Jonathan Ford/BBC 2012 for MASTERPIECE)
The Paradise
Based on Emile Zola’s popular French novel – but with England substituted in as the setting – The Paradise is a lavish, soapy dramatization of life at the first Victorian-era department store. Our story follows the adventures of Denise (Joanna Vanderham), a wide-eyed country girl who comes to the big city, hoping to get a job with her uncle. Unfortunately, the new department store in town has decimated the local mom and pop stores in the area, and Denise is forced to take a job there instead. And by “forced,” I mean “jumps at the chance” because The Paradise is pretty amazing. All sorts of modern and posh, Denise loves working there, and discovers that she has a surprising knack for business.
Of course, there’s also plenty of romance. Denise catches the eye of The Paradise’s dashing and enigmatic owner, John Moray (Emun Elliott). John happens to be involved in a relationship (sort of) with rich heiress Katherine (Elaine Cassidy). Drama predictably ensues. Elsewhere in the store, petty jealousies arise between staffers and everyone tries to adapt to the shifting nature of commerce in the Victorian era. Which is, surprisingly enough, pretty entertaining.
Unfortunately, the series’ second season is not nearly as good as its first, but the increasingly sumptuous sets and outfits will definitely take your mind off of the fact that a bunch of the main characters are suddenly super annoying.
Number of Seasons: 2
Where to Watch: Netflix